FAQ

Meidase Trail Cameras FAQ

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First, we recommend taking a few minutes to watch this video to quickly learn how to activate your Wi-Fi camera. Please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYwq1nTsH-M

If your phone cannot connect to the camera’s Wi-Fi, please follow the troubleshooting steps below:

For the camera:

1.Ensure the camera battery is sufficiently charged, the antenna is properly installed, the camera switch is turned on, and the Wi-Fi option is enabled in the camera menu.

2.Place the camera in an open area to minimize obstacles between the camera and your phone, and control the connection distance:

3.Bluetooth connection distance should be within 10 meters,

4.Wi-Fi connection distance should be within 15 meters.

 

For your phone:

1.Make sure you have downloaded the latest app version from the App Store or Google Play.

2.Ensure your phone’s Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are enabled. Open the app and grant it permissions to access your device’s Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, storage, location, and camera during the connection process.

3.Ensure your phone’s VPN is disabled. Also, check if any ad-blocking apps (e.g., AdGuard) are interfering with our app. If so, please disable these ad-blocking apps.

4.If your phone is iOS, try manually turning off Wi-Fi for 5 seconds and then manually turning it back on to reconnect to the camera, as the app does not have permission to clear Wi-Fi cache.

5.If you are using iOS, go to the app’s settings and ensure “Local Network” and “Cellular Data” (if applicable) are enabled.

6.Restart both your phone and the camera, then attempt to reconnect.

7.If you have multiple phones, consider using another device to establish the connection.

If the above attempts fail, please record a video of the app failing to connect to the camera’s Wi-Fi and send it to us for further analysis. Thank you in advance.

If the problem persists:

To further analyze the specifics of your device, we need your help in collecting “log files.” You can find the “Feedback” option within the application. Please briefly describe the issue and upload any relevant photos or videos. After submission, the system will automatically send diagnostic information to our technical team. Please refer to the attached PDF file for the reporting process. (App upload log

Additionally, please locate the “Version” option in the camera menu and send us a photo of the version information screen. This will help us check whether any firmware updates are available and, if necessary, provide you with a compatible version.

This information will greatly assist us in determining whether the issue is related to the camera firmware, requires further technical analysis, or necessitates initiating warranty services.

It is recommended to try the following troubleshooting:

The most common reason for this is a weak or unavailable cellular network signal at the camera’s location:

1.Relocate the Camera: Please try moving the camera to a different spot, even a slight adjustment of a few meters can sometimes make a significant difference. Ideally, place it in a more open area, away from dense obstacles like walls or thick foliage.

2.Check Signal Strength: After moving it, please allow the camera some time (about 15-30 minutes) to reconnect.

3.Check the antenna connection to ensure it is properly installed and tightened

Once the camera establishes a stable connection in an area with better signal strength, it will automatically resume sending the pending photos and videos.

Reset camera:

1. Find the “Format SD Card” menu option and format your SD card in the camera (back up the required data in the SD card in advance)

2. Reset the camera through the camera menu item “Reset”,

3. Keep the camera screen on as long as possible, so that the camera has a longer time to search for signals (It is recommended to keep the screen on for about 10 minutes). Tips: The camera screen will turn off if there is no button operation for 3 minutes, please press any button before the screen turns off to prevent the screen from turning off.

4. Observe the status of the three icons in the upper left corner of the camera screen. If the status is abnormal, please take a photo and send it to us. At the same time, enter the camera menu item “Cellular Info” and take pictures of all the information in it and send them to us. 

Tip: Please avoid changing the default APN settings as it may result in the camera being unable to transfer photos. In the event that you have already changed the APN settings, please reset the camera APN settings by accessing the “Reset” option in the camera menu.

Battery tips:

-We recommend using eight 1.5V AA alkaline or lithium batteries

-For optimal performance and battery life, we strongly recommend Energizer AA lithium batteries or Duracell AA batteries

-Do not mix old and new batteries or different battery types

-Ensure correct battery installation: negative (flat) end should face the long spring in the battery compartment

-While rechargeable Ni-MH AA batteries can be used, they’re not recommended due to lower voltage (1.2V) which may cause nighttime recording issues and require frequent replacement

Troubleshooting steps to identify the issue:

1.Test with USB power:

-Remove all batteries

-Connect the camera to a computer using the included USB cable and switch to “ON”

If the screen turns blue and shows “Card Reader,” the camera is functional – indicating a possible battery issue

2.Test with external power(if available):

-Connect it to the camera’s power port and switch to “ON”

If the camera powers on normally, this further confirms a battery-related problem

3.Replace with new batteries:

-Install a new set of batteries, switch to “ON,” then press the “START” button to check if the camera powers on

If the camera cannot power on, there may be poor contact issues with the battery compartment or buttons.

If the problem persists:

Please follow the steps above, record a short video demonstrating the issue, and contact us so that we can provide an appropriate solution (including warranty service).


If the camera is slow to trigger or takes few pictures, please perform the following troubleshooting:

1, Find the “RESET” menu option and reset the camera

2, Find the “Format SD Card” menu option and format your SD card in the camera (Back up important files from the SD card in advance)

3, Find the “Motion Test” menu option and run Motion Test, after clicking the “OK” button, wait about 1 minute, then wave hands in front the camera. If the white motion indicator on the front of the camera blinks red, which means the camera has captured the motion.

4, If step 3 is OK, the camera can take pictures under “Motion Test”, proving that the camera’s PIR motion sensor is functioning properly. At this time, please rule out some other potential reasons that cause the camera not to take pictures, such as:

a) Make sure the camera switch is in the “on” state and the battery is fully charged (it is recommended to use Energizer lithium batteries or Duracell alkaline batteries, or use a DC power supply) to ensure that the camera is fully charged. Please charge it in time when the battery is less than 20%.

b), Properly adjust the installation height of the camera according to the size of the object, because the horizontal detection angle of the camera is 120°, but the vertical detection angle is about 50°. If you want to shoot smaller or closer targets, it is recommended that the camera installation height be 0.3-0.8 meters. If you want to shoot larger or farther targets, it is recommended that the camera installation height be 0.8-1.5 meters.

c), Avoid inappropriate setting parameters, such as “PIR interval” setting is too long, “Operation hour” setting is too short, etc.

If you want to take more photos, it is recommended to set the parameters as follows:
Mode: hybrid
Photo Burst: 1
PIR Sensitivity: High
Side Motion Sensors: ON
Detection Delay: 5 seconds or less
Operation Hours: OFF or as long as possible, e.g. several hours

If the above attempts still fail:

Please send the original picture or video recently taken by the camera for our further analysis, thank you. We will provide warranty service when necessary, including free camera replacement.


Condensation on the lens is usually caused by common environmental factors:

Temperature Differences: When the outside environment is cold and the camera heats up during operation, condensation can form on the lens.

High Humidity: Moisture in the air can enter the camera and condense on cooler surfaces such as the lens.

To help reduce and prevent condensation:

1.Allow gradual temperature adjustment: Before placing the camera outdoors after being indoors, let it sit in a transitional environment (e.g., garage or covered porch) for 1–2 hours to adjust slowly to the outdoor temperature and humidity.

2.Use moisture-absorbing packets: Place a small silica gel packet inside the camera housing (if accessible) to help absorb internal moisture.

3.Avoid direct exposure to rain or high humidity: Ensure the camera is installed under some cover or facing away from direct rainfall and excessive humidity.

4.Check the camera’s seal: Inspect the housing for any visible gaps or compromised seals that may allow moisture to enter.

If the condensation continues to affect image quality or camera function after these adjustments:

There may be a seal integrity issue. In that case, we can arrange a warranty replacement for your camera. Please let us know if you would like to proceed with a replacement or need further guidance.


The symptoms you described strongly suggest a combination of camera settings and potential environmental factors. This is a known issue that can typically be resolved through configuration adjustments.

To improve performance, we recommend checking and adjusting your camera settings as follows:

1. Recording Mode
If “Hybrid Mode” or “Time Lapse” is enabled, please set the “Time Lapse Interval” to a longer duration, such as “1 hour” or more.

2. Motion Detection (PIR)

PIR Sensitivity: Set to “Medium” or “Low”.

Side Motion Sensor: Turn off.

Detection Delay: Set to 20 seconds or longer.

3. Power Saving Measures
Limit nighttime video length to a maximum of 30 seconds, as longer recordings significantly drain battery power.

Additional Tips:

Environment: Avoid pointing the camera directly at heat sources (such as the sun or passing clouds) or nearby objects (such as branches or grass, especially on windy days), as these may cause false triggers.

Batteries: For optimal battery life, please use high-quality Energizer lithium batteries or Duracell alkaline batteries.

We believe these adjustments will significantly enhance your camera’s performance.

 

If the issue persists after these changes:

Please share original photos or videos taken by the camera so we can conduct further analysis and initiate warranty service if required.

Additionally, please navigate to the “Version” option in your camera menu and send us a photo of the version information screen. This will allow us to check for any available firmware updates and provide you with a compatible version if needed.


This issue is often related to compatibility. Please try the following troubleshooting steps:

1.Reinsert the SD card several times and restart the camera to allow multiple attempts at reading.

2.Format the SD card using the “Format SD Card” option in the camera menu. (Please back up important files first.)

3.Due to compatibility issues, we do not recommend using microSD (TF) cards with adapters.

4.If the problem persists after formatting, please try a full-size/standard-sized SD card (SDHC/SDXC, up to 512GB, Class 10) from a reputable brand such as SanDisk.

If the issue continues even after formatting with a full-size SD card:

Please send us photos of the camera showing the “unrecognized” status or the SD card used. This will help us analyze the issue further and provide an appropriate solution, including warranty service if applicable.

Here’s what you need to know about subscription services.

About Main Plans:

A camera must have an active main plan to transfer photos and videos to the app (e.g., Free Plan, Basic Plan, Standard Plan, Premium Plan).

If you need to purchase a photo subscription for a 4G cellular camera, you can do so via the “Plans” page in the mobile app, where you can choose either an annual or monthly plan. Please refer to the attached image for detailed instructions.

About Additional Plans:

Add-on plans require an active main plan to function (including HD Photos, HD Videos, Live Streaming, and Extra Photos). If your photo quota has been used up and you need more photos, please purchase “Extra Photos.”

HD Photos: This option improves photo quality and clarity but does not increase the number of photos sent by the camera.

HD Videos: This option improves video quality and clarity but does not increase the number of videos sent by the camera.

Live Streaming: This option extends the duration of live streaming.

Extra Photos: This option is designed specifically to increase your transmission quota.

About Auto-Renewal:

If auto-renewal is enabled or you are within an active annual subscription, your photo quota will automatically renew each month, allowing you to continue receiving photos and videos.

You can see how to enable or disable “Auto-Renewal” on the “Plans” page in the app, as shown in the attached image. This determines whether you can continue using the photo subscription service in the future. If your camera malfunctions or stops working, cancel auto-renewal immediately. After cancellation, the subscription will expire at the end of the current billing cycle, ensuring no further charges are incurred.

Please note that when your photo quota is running low or your plan is about to expire, the cloud server will automatically send reminder emails.

About Shared Plans:

Specific steps: In Plans, click Active (Camera without plan) > Select an Existing Plan > Join in > Subscribe

Each camera requires a subscription plan. However, cameras with the same plan can enjoy discounted pricing through what we call a “Shared Plan.” Now, multiple cameras can share one data plan, helping you save on subscription costs. Under the same plan, the first camera is charged at the full price, and each additional camera is eligible for a discounted rate.

Note: All cameras under the same shared plan share the same billing cycle. HD Photos, HD Videos, Extra Photos, and Live Streaming balances can now be shared among cameras and have no expiration date.

Based on historical experience with the Stripe payment system, your photo subscription payment issue is typically caused by your bank declining the transaction:

We recommend that you contact your bank to inquire about the reason for the decline and how to resolve the payment issue. It would be greatly helpful if you could inform us of the reason for the decline and any related messages from your bank, as this would assist us in resolving similar issues for many users.

Alternatively, you may try completing the purchase using another bank card or credit card. Please refer to the attached guide for instructions on how to update your payment method. (Add and bind a new card

Regarding the choppy recorded video:

The “Lite” videos in the app are compressed, low-frame-rate previews (about 2 fps, without audio), which can appear jumpy.

For smooth, high-quality video with audio, you can:

1.Request the HD version of a Lite video. Please refer to the attached image for the request steps. (HD Video request

Note: A valid HD video Plan is required, which can be purchased on the “Plans” page in the app.

2.Download original video files from the SD card using an SD card reader (user-provided) or a USB cable.

How 4G Cameras Work:

The camera first captures original photos or videos and saves them to the SD card. It then sends thumbnails or Lite videos to the mobile app.
Lite videos are compressed versions of the videos, recorded at 2 frames per second (silent). This allows you to quickly grasp events without using additional data. Compared to most 4G cameras on the market that only send thumbnails, Lite videos represent a significant improvement.

Problem Categories

About Capturing Issues

  1. Please gently remove the protective films in the front of the camera to get the best performance, especially the protective films attached to the PIR sensors will seriously reduce the motion detection ability and even cause no capture.
  2. Make sure that the camera power switch is in the “ON” position and not in the “OFF” or “SET”.
  3. Make sure the camera had been powered up for more than 30 seconds to ensure the PIR sensors have been fully activated.
  4. Check the “Detection Delay” menu option in SET mode, which is the delay between current capture and next capture, set “Detection Delay” to a lower value if you want more captures.
  5. Please make sure that the SD card doesn’t reach capacity. The default option is “Loop Recording” disabled, the camera will stop taking images when the SD card reaches capacity.
  6. Make sure that you are using a good quality SD card in your camera. We recommend SD/SDHC/SHXC Class10 brand memory card, such as SanDisk, Kingston, Toshiba, Samsung, etc.
  7. IMPORTANT: If you have used an SD card in another device before inserting it in your camerayou might want to try formatting the card using the “Format SD Card” menu option in SET mode (make sure you have backed up any important files first, as formatting will erase all previous files). In some cases, other devices may change the formatting of the SD card so that it will not work properly with the camera. Or if the SD card has been used for a long time, the SD card might be in unstable status and not able to accept data writing into, in this case, the camera behaves as not triggering and not taking pictures. so please re-format SD card and try again.
  8. IMPORTANT: Check the batteries to make sure their power level is sufficient. If you are using rechargeable batteries, it would not take nighttime pictures or videos due to the low battery voltage (generally nominal 1.2V and drops down quickly). Please use 1.5V batteries instead.
  9. Run motion detection test by “Motion Test” menu option to check whether the motion sensor does work.

The problem is generally caused by incorrect filesystem format on your SD card. Please format your SD card according the following steps:

Press MENU key, go to “Format SD card”, select “Yes”.

A camera has what is known as a “false trigger” if the PIR sensor thinks that there is motion and heat in front of the camera lens when there is no subject in the image. These “False Triggers” are the result of placing the camera in an environment where there is motion associated with tree branches creating mo­tion in front of the camera or an area where there is high heat in the foreground and any motion from wind could set off the camera. Setting a camera up over water is also a potential cause for this issue. To remedy this situation:

  1. Try moving the camera to an area that does not have any of these issues or try changing the sensor level on the menu settings.
  2. If the camera continues to take images when there is no subject in them, try placing the camera in an inside environment and aiming at a location where there is no motion.
  3. If the camera continues to show issues, then there is probably an electronic component issue. If this is the case, please contact our customer service to send the camera back for repair.
  1. Check the “PIR sensitivity” menu option. Set the “PIR sensitivity” to “High” to obtain the highest performance. At normal temperature of 77℉, “High” sensitivity for 82ft detecting distance, “Medium” for 50ft, “Low” for 30ft.
  2. Try to set your camera up in an area where there is not a heat source in the camera’s line of sight.
  3. In some cases, setting the camera near water will make the camera take images with no subject in them. Try aiming the camera over ground.
  4. Try to avoid setting the camera up on small trees that are prone to being moved by strong winds.
  5. Remove any limbs which are right in front of the camera lens.
  6. Don’t install the camera behind the window glass.

About Night Recording Issues

1. The batteries power is low. Make sure that the camera has good batteries in it. Near the end of the battery life, the camera may choose to record shorter video clips. In this case, please replace the batteries.

2. Night vision consumes quite more batteries power. To conserve your battery lifetime, the trail camera limits night video length to a maximum of 30-second. If you have other power source or don’t care the power consumption, and want to cancel the limitation, please reach our customer support to get a camera firmware update. Sorry for any inconvenience caused.

Please check if your camera is using the latest firmware. Another potential reason is when batteries power goes down to low level, the camera won’t be work at night. Please check if the batteries power level and replace it.

If the issue continues, please reach our customer support at support@meidase.com with the last daytime picture or videos for further investigation.

  1. Manually take pictures at low lighting place in SET mode (such as at dark room indoor).
  2. Review the pictures on camera screen or your computer, if they are still all back, please check the version (by “Version” menu option), send the version and the black pictures to our support email for further assistance.
  1. Make sure you have programmed your camera working on video mode:

    1. Switch your camera to “SET”, 2. Press “MENU”, 3. Go to “Photo or Video”, 4. Set it to “Video”, press OK. 5. switch it back to “ON” and test again.

    Does not compensate for over exposure or the background of the night picture is too dark.

    The dark background of night images is usually caused by strong reflections from the obstacles close to the camera. To get the best night image, please remove close-up obstacles (such as walls or tree trunks) in front of the camera as possible, or adjust the installation position of your camera to avoid these obstacles (Refer to the figure below).

About Camera Screen

When I turn on the camera, the screen just continually flashes white  It may be due to poor batteries contact. It is recommended to remove the batteries, wipe both ends of the battery and the positive electrode (“flat”) of the battery compartment and the spring with a clean cloth before reinstalling.

About Batteries, Power Supply

Battery life is shorter than expected Battery life will vary with operating temperature and the number of images taken over time. Typically, the camera will be able to capture several thousand images before the batteries die. Check to make sure you have used new batteries. We recommend using eight good quality lithium AA 1.5V batteries in all cameras to obtain maximum battery life. Make sure that the power switch was turned to the “ON” position and that the camera was not left in “SET” mode while in the field. Make sure that you are using a good quality name brand SD card in your camera. Our experience indicates that poor quality SD cards can sometimes reduce your camera battery life.

Yes. Lithium batteries are better used in cold weather. We recommend using new eight 1.5V Lithium AA batteries (Energizer brand) to get maximum batteries lifetime.

NiMH rechargeable batteries can also be used, but they might have a shorter life span due to their reduced efficiency over time and at low temperature, might not work well to take night picture or video as due to their lower voltage of 1.2V or less.

Don’t use the batteries’ voltage greater than 1.5V which would damage the camera. Don’t mix old and new batteries. Don’t mix batteries type.

Yes. It can. The camera can accept external power (user supplied) and work with internal batteries (user supplied) at the same time. The camera will automatically use the higher voltage of the two as the input power source.

When the external power supply is removed, the camera will automatically switch to use the internal battery. Please do not use an external power supply exceeding 12V.

Does the camera have a port for an external power?

Yes. The port is on the bottom of the camera. The camera can work with 12V/1A external power adapter/source (user supplied). The cable end of DC must be the circles of 4.0mm outside, 1.7mm inside (that is 4.0×1.7mm) and the central contact point is positive polarity.

It is easy to find the cable or adapter on Amazon (searching the items by “DC 12V 1A 4.0×1.7”), or electronic marketplace.

About SD Card

There are problems with SD card access, such as not being recognized, the inability to delete photos, read/open photos or videos, etc. This trail camera supports standard SD/SDHC/SDXC memory card. In general, for better performance we recommend using brand SD card, such as SanDisk, Kingston, Toshiba, Samsung, etc. When you first use the SD card with your camera, please format your SD card by using “Format SD Card” menu option. Our experience indicates sometimes SD card might be in damaged or unstable condition, please replace SD card and try again. Or using SD card reader or computer slot, try to access it and check if the SD card does work.  If your SD card was ever formatted in NTFS format on your PC, it is not possible to be recognized by this camera, please reformat your SD card in your camera by “Format SD Card” menu option, restart the camera after the SD card formatted.

About Camera Password

For models with a three-position switch (OFF, ON, SET):
1.Press and HOLD the “RIGHT” key.
2.Move the power switch from “OFF” to “SET” position.
3.The camera turns on and password cleared. (Note: the camera would be reset to default settings.)

For models with a two-position switch (OFF, ON):
1.Press and HOLD the “RIGHT” key.
2.Move the power switch from “OFF” to “ON” position.
3.The camera turns on and password cleared. (Note: the camera would be reset to default settings.)

Other Issues

  1. Make sure that you have installed eight batteries in the battery compartment, filling battery all spaces with no “gaps”.
    Make sure that the batteries are installed correctly, observing proper polarity. Always place the negative (flat) end of each battery in contact with the spring side of its slot inside the camera. Or install the batteries again to check if the camera can power up.
  2. We recommend using new eight high quality 1.5V Aklinke or Lithium AA batteries. In some cases, the new batteries might be defective, even would be no power, it would be quite good if you have meter to measure the batteries voltage to double check.
  3. Rechargeable AA batteries are NOT recommended as the lower voltage they produce can cause operational issues. The worst case is that some batteries might not be power the camera up.

WiFi Camera / Meidase Mobile App

Do I have to be close to use the app? or can I be in a different state and see while I not home

The WiFi trail camera can only work with the app within WiFi and Bluetooth signal range.

You have to be within Bluetooth range to connect and then it puts out its own wifi signal to your phone to view pictures.

App will not connect to camera via WiFi/Bluetooth

Please try the following troubleshootings:

1, Make sure you have downloaded the latest “Meidase Mobile” App from the App Store or Google Play.

2, Make sure the WiFi and Bluetooth of the phone are turned on. Open the App, during the connection process, please give the app access to WiFi, bluetooth, storage, location and camera of your device.

3, Make sure the phone’s VPN is off. And check if there are some ad-blocking apps (like AdGuard) that have blocked our app, if so, please turn off these ad-blocking apps.

4, If your phone is iOS system, please try to turn off WiFi manually for 3 seconds and then turn on WiFi manually to reconnect the camera as the App does not have permission to clear WiFi cache.

If it still fails after trying, please submit the problem log in the App for analysis by our engineers. Or contact our service support via email.

我的WiFi追踪摄像头在Meidase移动应用里找不到

请快速检查一下:

1. 尽可能靠近摄像头(由于蓝牙技术限制,距离在33英尺/10米以内)。

2. 摄像头开机。

3. 摄像头中的Wi-Fi选项已启用。

4. 确保相机电池电量良好。

5. 手机上的蓝牙和Wi-Fi都已启用。

已连接WiFi,但看不到任何摄像头信息,也无法预览

在iOS 14.4.1及以上版本,请使用设置应用,进入隐私菜单,然后选择本地网络。

它会显示所有请求权限的应用列表。

进入Meidase Mobile应用,点击绿色设置,允许应用访问网络上的设备。

更改后重新访问Meidase Mobile应用,它会立即连接,你可以预览并查看状态页面上的相机信息。

有90秒的超时,如果你来不及重新访问Meidase Mobile应用,请重新连接摄像头。

Still need help?

Please contact us at support@meidase.com.